Bottled water meets needs of consumers

The Associated Press article in Tuesday's Dispatch, "Watered down," incorrectly captured the issue as a choice between bottled and tap water.

The Associated Press article in Tuesday's Dispatch, "Watered down," incorrectly captured the issue as a choice between bottled and tap water.

Like tap water, bottled water is a healthy beverage option that provides consumers with access to clean, refreshing water that they can carry with them, which is a good thing. While tap water is a perfectly fine beverage choice, it is not always readily accessible when and where consumers need it -- especially during periods of extreme temperatures.

Further, some consumers choose bottled water for its consistent taste.

Most important, the AP article neglected to mention that bottled-water containers are 100 percent recyclable. Also, the beverage industry is committed to reducing its environmental footprint by using less plastic in our packaging, improving our water-use ratio, making all of our operations more energy-efficient and supporting comprehensive recycling programs. These efforts are good for the environment and for business.

Simply put, bottled water has grown in popularity because consumers demand it. The beverage industry is meeting that demand by providing safe, portable and convenient bottled water when and where consumers want it. Consumers worried about the environmental impact of bottled water can easily drop the empty container into a recycling bin.

For more information about bottled water and recycling, visit www.ameribev.org.